That approval was the last step in a process that started about five years ago and hit several bumps along the way.

The motion, made by Commissioner Jacqueline Albarran, approved the plan with the condition that the town has the flexibility to replace chairs and tables planned for the park’s south end with benches and replace zoysia grass there with another variety if it doesn’t perform well.

Also, as the Town Council requested July 15 when it approved site-plan changes, the designers likely will eliminate two parking spaces proposed in front of Earl E.T. Smith Park and shift the row of parking spaces on the west side of Town Hall slightly south to better accommodate one additional space.

Landscape designer Jorge Sanchez told Landmarks Chairman Ted Cooney that there is a concern tables and chairs might be "used too much." That response elicited laughter from several people in council chambers.

Public Works Director Paul Brazil clarified the issue.

"This park, hopefully it’s very successful and it’s used a lot," Brazil said. But the park could become filled by customers of area restaurants that don’t have outdoor seating and by professionals visiting the Planning, Zoning and Building Department, he said. "An unintended consequence is it is used so much that the maintenance would go through the roof — basically, I’d have to maintain the equivalent of an outdoor cafe," Brazil said.

Commissioner Carol Wyett said residents likely will enjoy using the tables and chairs, as opposed to benches, and wouldn’t want to give them up once they are in place.

After the vote, Sanchez was in a celebratory mood. "There should be something popping after this," he said with a smile. "We made it!"